LAHORE - Mainstream religious parties have fully backed the recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on ‘women rights’ and called for implementing the same.
Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan(JUP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F), Jamiat Ulem-e-Islam-Samiul Haq (JUI-S) and Ehlehadith and Shia scholars found nothing un-Islamic and against women rights in the CII’s drafted 75 pages Women Protection Bill.
The religious parties had already opposed Women Protection Bill passed by Punjab Assembly terming it against Islam and Constitution, saying it would damage the Islamic image of the society. The parties, following the passage of the bill, held repeated sittings in Lahore and Islamabad and warned the government to take back the law or be ready to face countrywide protests. Later, on assurance of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif that the input of religious scholars would be considered before the implementation of the Punjab Women Law, they became ready to give their recommendations on the bill. A high level committee of the leaders of religious parties drafted a bill and submitted it with the federal government which was supposed to guide the provinces in formation of their respective laws on women rights.
The government was yet to consider the proposals forwarded by the religious parties that it met with another draft proposed by the CII. Under its Chairman Maulana Muhammad Khan Sheerani, the CII suggested that a husband be allowed to “lightly” beat his wife if needed among other clauses.
The recommendations have sparked a controversy in social media. Rights activists including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the Council’s recommendations and termed the “model law” a call for violence against women.
But the leading Islamist parties representing all schools of thought, Brailvi, Deobandi, Ehlehadith and Shia, endorsed the CII’s proposed bill when their leaders were contacted by The Nation. Jamaat-e-Islami central leader Ameerul Azeem said the JI found the recommendations of the CII balanced and according to the teachings of Islam.
“The religious parties have already submitted a draft bill on women rights with the federal government. Islam gives every right to women. The CII comprises religious scholars of all schools of thoughts and of course their recommendations could not be against the basic Islamic teachings,” he said.
JUP president Pir Ijaz Hashmi said the CII recommendations should be part of the Constitution. He criticised the government for not taking seriously the proposals given by CII on different occasions.
“What is the use of the Council of Islamic Ideology if the government is not serious to adopt its recommendations. The national assembly should adopt the CII recommendations after holding discussion on them,” said Hashmi whose party represents Brailvi school of thought which is in majority in Pakistan.
JUI-S secretary general Maulana Abdur Rauf Farooqi also overwhelmingly supported the CII recommendations. He said his party believed that CII proposals were appropriate in the light of Islamic teachings. JUI-F leader Maulana Amjad Khan, whose party’s central leader Maulana Sheernai heads the CII, also backed the recommendations.
Wafaqul Madaris Al-Shia spokesman Nusrat Shahani said since a Shia scholar was part of the CII and he did not give any note of dissent on the recommendation so “we cannot term the recommendation as against Shia jurisprudence.” He, however, added the Shia scholars gave their separate input on Punjab women law and submitted it with the Punjab government.